Our four Transition Year ‘Young Social Innovator‘ groups travelled to City Hall in Cork recently for their regional ‘SpeakOut’ event.
A SpeakOut is an event designed to give young people a platform to talk about social issues and communicate their YSI project work in creative ways. YSI SpeakOuts are fun and they are a great opportunity for young people taking part in the programme to develop their communication and presentation skills.
SpeakOuts are hosted in many locations throughout Ireland and feature addresses from political representatives, celebrities and social justice campaigners to encourage, motivate and support YSI participants in their work.
Our four groups are representing the areas of “Farm Safety”, “Media influence on body image”, “Helping our Elderly” and “Exploitation of women in the Media”. They did their schools proud in the regional rounds with four interesting and entertaining two-minute performances about their chosen social issues.
Regional representatives to take part in the National SpeakOut rounds will be announced in mid-April. Best of Luck to our teams!
“Exploitation of women in the media” #gettunedin L-R Edel Harty, Niamh Murphy, Ciaran O’ Connor, Alannah Hennessy and Patrick Collins.
“Helping our Elderly”
“Farm Safety” L-R Donagh O’ Shea, Shauna Cullotty and Conor O’ Connor with YSI Representatives.
“Media Influence on Body image” (with Skeleton) L-R Diarmuid O’ Leary, Emma Sheahan, Stephen Gillman, Erica O’ Connell and Darragh O’ Mahony.
TY Debate
Three of our Transition Years recently competed in a semi-final of debating, hosted by Muskerry Macra na Feirme.
Emma Sheahan, Niamh Murphy and Rhea Lartey, (L-R) in picture, proposed the motion that “Modern celebrities are not good role models for young people” against a worthy Blarney opposition.
On the day our girls were victorious with strong and well thought out arguments that our modern celebrities are not they type of people our teenagers should aspire to be.
Well done to the girls and best of luck in the final versus St. Mary’s Secondary School, Macroom which will take place after Easter.
with thanks to Rebecca Enright (teacher at Boherbue Comprehensive) for this article. Many of the students are from the Cullen / Dromtarriffe area.
